Game of Thrones, the Norman Conquest and Political Violence

by Guest Tue Jun 03, 2014 7:26 pm

So I finally got round to watching Game of Thrones. This was partly because my partner wanted to watch it and I wanted to sit on the same couch, and partly because almost all the other medievalists I know have been talking about it a lot over the past couple of years, leaving me feeling very much out of the loop. I quite enjoyed it. The dwarf is very good, isn't he? And the princess with the dragons: she definitely gets a huzzah.

Game of Thrones, in case you've just arrived by spaceship, is an fantasy-adventure type saga with a very medieval flavour. As lots of other commentators have pointed out, it contains, in its plots and characters, historical parallels with the real Middle Ages. People have pointed out similarities, for example, with England in the fifteenth century during the Wars of the Roses. York and Lancaster/Stark and Lannister - you don't have to concentrate too hard to spot that one.

Game of Thrones is also incredibly violent. People are forever being stabbed, mutilated, tortured, beheaded, shot, or otherwise maimed or killed. Very often people get their throats slit. In the dramatic climax of Season Three, the so-called 'Red Wedding', several main characters are dispatched in the most grisly way imaginable.

Well, you might say, that again is simply a reflection of the reality behind the fantasy: the Middle Ages were a bloody and violent era. That's why 'medieval' is frequently employed as a pejorative term. That's why if someone threatens to get medieval on your ass, you run.

Well, not entirely. Such levels of violence did exist during parts of the period we now call medieval. In England, they existed during the late Middle Ages (particularly the fifteenth century, during the Wars of the Roses), and in the centuries before 1066. But in the period I've studied for the past twenty years - the two and half centuries after 1066 - they did not.

The clue here, of course, is the famous date: 1066 was the year the Normans arrived, and the Normans, in spite of their generally negative reputation, did not go in for the kind of extreme political violence that was routinely used in England before the Conquest, and that re-emerged around the year 1300. The Normans were extremely bloody in their warfare - witness the Battle of Hastings and the Harrying of the North - but not in their politics.

http://www.historytoday.com/blog/2014/06/game-thrones-norman-conquest-and-political-violence

by Guest Tue Jun 03, 2014 7:32 pm

Oh, Game of Thrones - never seen it, "I'm so fancy":

Game of Thrones, the Norman Conquest and Political Violence Nose-i10

by Guest Tue Jun 03, 2014 7:34 pm

Shame, is excellent to be honest, though the history part of Britain is far more interesting in the article itself.

by Fluffyx Tue Jun 03, 2014 7:47 pm

Game of Thrones is excellent!

Its so marvellous,it's terrific.It's wonderful.Er you might have guessed I quite like it.

The novels are good too but heavy going at times,just don't say the word Stannis to me.Stannis is like a bit of dry wood,all his chapters drag.

Very exciting things to come this series! cheers

by Guest Tue Jun 03, 2014 7:59 pm

best fantasy /swords and sorcery series i have ever seen.... Smile

simply brilliant...

by xtras Tue Jun 03, 2014 8:30 pm

heavenlyfatheragain wrote:best fantasy /swords and sorcery series i have ever seen.... simply brilliant...

my daughter got me hooked on this last year Twisted Evil

it is the only programme that leaves you wanting more Twisted Evil

by Guest Tue Jun 03, 2014 8:33 pm

xtras wrote:
heavenlyfatheragain wrote:best fantasy /swords and sorcery series i have ever seen.... simply brilliant...

my daughter got me hooked on this last year it is the only programme that leaves you wanting more

What about Big Brother?

by xtras Tue Jun 03, 2014 8:35 pm

BigAndy9 wrote:
xtras wrote:

my daughter got me hooked on this last year it is the only programme that leaves you wanting more

What about Big Brother?

no contest Smile

by Guest Tue Jun 03, 2014 8:35 pm

xtras wrote:
heavenlyfatheragain wrote:best fantasy /swords and sorcery series i have ever seen.... simply brilliant...

my daughter got me hooked on this last year it is the only programme that leaves you wanting more

it really is so brilliantly done, the books are very good too, in fact they almost follow the series word for word on occasion..

by xtras Tue Jun 03, 2014 8:37 pm

heavenlyfatheragain wrote:
xtras wrote:

my daughter got me hooked on this last year it is the only programme that leaves you wanting more

it really is so brilliantly done, the books are very good too, in fact they almost follow the series word for word on occasion..

i have not read the books... i will be sad when this ends, as what does tv have to offer?

by Guest Tue Jun 03, 2014 8:42 pm

xtras wrote:
heavenlyfatheragain wrote:

it really is so brilliantly done, the books are very good too, in fact they almost follow the series word for word on occasion..

i have not read the books... i will be sad when this ends, as what does tv have to offer?

I must admit I very rarely watch tv any more most shows are so poor they are not worth watching, i just hope they keep this one going, with most american series it seems if they get past season 5 they often get close to 10...

by xtras Tue Jun 03, 2014 8:46 pm

heavenlyfatheragain wrote:
xtras wrote:

i have not read the books... i will be sad when this ends, as what does tv have to offer?

I must admit I very rarely watch tv any more most shows are so poor they are not worth watching, i just hope they keep this one going, with most american series it seems if they get past season 5 they often get close to 10...

same here, so much cráp on the telly i gave up, i did watch all of True Detective that was brilliant! the first series Smile

i do hope they go to 30 Smile

by Guest Tue Jun 03, 2014 8:48 pm

xtras wrote:
heavenlyfatheragain wrote:

I must admit I very rarely watch tv any more most shows are so poor they are not worth watching, i just hope they keep this one going, with most american series it seems if they get past season 5 they often get close to 10...

same here, so much cráp on the telly i gave up, i did watch all of True Detective that was brilliant! the first series

i do hope they go to 30

it would be great if they did, i'm trying to find life on mars series one and two on blu ray, i thought that was a brilliant series too.

by xtras Tue Jun 03, 2014 8:51 pm

heavenlyfatheragain wrote:
xtras wrote:

same here, so much cráp on the telly i gave up, i did watch all of True Detective that was brilliant! the first series

i do hope they go to 30

it would be great if they did, i'm trying to find life on mars series one and two on blu ray, i thought that was a brilliant series too.

i am trying to find breaking bad.. heard so many good things about it, but it is on netflix? i cancelled it when i had it as was nothing on there lol ::D::

life on mars never got to watch it, as i said Game of Thrones is my only tv fix What a Face

by Guest Tue Jun 03, 2014 8:55 pm

xtras wrote:
heavenlyfatheragain wrote:

it would be great if they did, i'm trying to find life on mars series one and two on blu ray, i thought that was a brilliant series too.

i am trying to find breaking bad.. heard so many good things about it, but it is on netflix? i cancelled it when i had it as was nothing on there lol ::D::

life on mars never got to watch it, as i said Game of Thrones is my only tv fix

i have heard a lot of people talking about breaking bad , not seen it though, life on mars is really good a modern day copper gets knocked down and he seems to wake up in the 70's , one of the main characters in it is gene hunt a hard nosed , no nonsense old time copper and he comes out with some pearling lines..lol

by xtras Tue Jun 03, 2014 8:58 pm

heavenlyfatheragain wrote:
xtras wrote:

i am trying to find breaking bad.. heard so many good things about it, but it is on netflix? i cancelled it when i had it as was nothing on there lol ::D::

life on mars never got to watch it, as i said Game of Thrones is my only tv fix

i have heard a lot of people talking about breaking bad , not seen it though, life on mars is really good a modern day copper gets knocked down and he seems to wake up in the 70's , one of the main characters in it is gene hunt a hard nosed , no nonsense old time copper and he comes out with some pearling lines..lol

yes! i have heard of that my sister kept telling me to watch it .. i thought it was just another cops & robbers show hahha!

my list of must see is getting longer!

by xtras Tue Jun 03, 2014 8:59 pm

seems weird posting with someone who is holding up a card behead those who insult islam Shocked

funny world we live in Razz

by Guest Tue Jun 03, 2014 9:00 pm

xtras wrote:
heavenlyfatheragain wrote:

i have heard a lot of people talking about breaking bad , not seen it though, life on mars is really good a modern day copper gets knocked down and he seems to wake up in the 70's , one of the main characters in it is gene hunt a hard nosed , no nonsense old time copper and he comes out with some pearling lines..lol

yes! i have heard of that my sister kept telling me to watch it .. i thought it was just another cops & robbers show hahha!

my list of must see is getting longer!

it is actually quite cleverly done, well worth seeing and like i said gene hunt steals the show, there was a facebook page of gene hunt saying at one time, some absolute classic ones too... Smile

by xtras Tue Jun 03, 2014 9:04 pm

heavenlyfatheragain wrote:
xtras wrote:

yes! i have heard of that my sister kept telling me to watch it .. i thought it was just another cops & robbers show hahha!

my list of must see is getting longer!

it is actually quite cleverly done, well worth seeing and like i said gene hunt steals the show, there was a facebook page of gene hunt saying at one time, some absolute classic ones too...

i just googled the name.. lol sounds funny it takes a lot to get my attention with programmes, but my sister raved about it

by Guest Tue Jun 03, 2014 9:13 pm

xtras wrote:
heavenlyfatheragain wrote:

it is actually quite cleverly done, well worth seeing and like i said gene hunt steals the show, there was a facebook page of gene hunt saying at one time, some absolute classic ones too...

i just googled the name.. lol sounds funny it takes a lot to get my attention with programmes, but my sister raved about it

it is very funny in places but it has some serious stuff and some interesting twists and turns.. Smile

by xtras Tue Jun 03, 2014 9:21 pm

heavenlyfatheragain wrote:
xtras wrote:

i just googled the name.. lol sounds funny it takes a lot to get my attention with programmes, but my sister raved about it

it is very funny in places but it has some serious stuff and some interesting twists and turns..

that's what i like twists & turns.. i have to look this up too

by eddie Tue Jun 03, 2014 9:42 pm

Erm, I've never heard of it!

by xtras Tue Jun 03, 2014 9:44 pm

eddie wrote:Erm, I've never heard of it!

nooo you must look out for it, on sky Atlantic channel monday nights!

but you need to go waaaaay back to series one ::D::

by eddie Tue Jun 03, 2014 9:49 pm

xtras wrote:
eddie wrote:Erm, I've never heard of it!

nooo you must look out for it, on sky Atlantic channel monday nights!

but you need to go waaaaay back to series one ::D::

I seem to miss all the good series'
People keep,telling me to watch Breaking Bad too.

by Guest Tue Jun 03, 2014 9:50 pm

eddie wrote:Erm, I've never heard of it!

never heard of it where have you been..lol

by xtras Tue Jun 03, 2014 9:50 pm

heavenlyfatheragain wrote:
eddie wrote:Erm, I've never heard of it!

never heard of it where have you been..lol

i mean seriously where has he/she been lol

by xtras Tue Jun 03, 2014 9:51 pm

eddie wrote:
xtras wrote:

nooo you must look out for it, on sky Atlantic channel monday nights!

but you need to go waaaaay back to series one ::D::

I seem to miss all the good series'
People keep,telling me to watch Breaking Bad too.

yes that is one i want to catch breaking bad... i had a link but then my laptop went crazy so lost it

by eddie Tue Jun 03, 2014 9:58 pm

xtras wrote:
heavenlyfatheragain wrote:

never heard of it where have you been..lol

i mean seriously where has he/she been lol

Painting my nails....where else?? Razz

by Guest Tue Jun 03, 2014 10:00 pm

eddie wrote:
xtras wrote:

i mean seriously where has he/she been lol

Painting my nails....where else??

lol...trust you.... Smile

by xtras Tue Jun 03, 2014 10:02 pm

eddie wrote:
xtras wrote:

i mean seriously where has he/she been lol

Painting my nails....where else??

a lot of men do lately Smile

i just checked female Laughing

by Guest Tue Jun 03, 2014 10:14 pm

xtras wrote:
eddie wrote:

Painting my nails....where else??

a lot of men do lately

i just checked female

yep edds is a girl, she has a very lovely voice too, you should check her songs out... Smile

by xtras Tue Jun 03, 2014 10:17 pm

heavenlyfatheragain wrote:
xtras wrote:

a lot of men do lately

i just checked female

yep edds is a girl, she has a very lovely voice too, you should check her songs out...

really! where are eddies songs?

by Guest Tue Jun 03, 2014 10:18 pm

xtras wrote:
heavenlyfatheragain wrote:

yep edds is a girl, she has a very lovely voice too, you should check her songs out...

really! where are eddies songs?

you will have to trawl through i don't have the link, it is probably in the entertainment section... Smile

by xtras Tue Jun 03, 2014 10:24 pm

heavenlyfatheragain wrote:
xtras wrote:

really! where are eddies songs?

you will have to trawl through i don't have the link, it is probably in the entertainment section...

hmmmm yeh ok Suspect

by eddie Tue Jun 03, 2014 10:51 pm

xtras wrote:
heavenlyfatheragain wrote:

you will have to trawl through i don't have the link, it is probably in the entertainment section...

hmmmm yeh ok

Thank you HF for the advertisement lol!

Xtras - it is in entertainment under "eddies songs" sunny

by veya_victaous Wed Jun 04, 2014 12:23 am

http://www.newsfixboard.com/t2677p50-eddie-s-own-tunes-copyright-cemm

there you go

by Eilzel Wed Jun 04, 2014 5:54 am

Urgh, I'm still traumatized by what happened Monday night; just when things were looking good the show does what it does best and kicks you in the teeth...

I will continue to give the books a miss, not because I doubt their quality but because I started with the TV series and like how TV can shock you and surprise you in ways books cannot (Stephen King's Dark Tower might have a similar ability to shock if it ever made it the screen).

^Eds I really do recommend catching up either on Sky or Netflix, I only started watching just before Season 3 started last year, two seasons in about as many weeks haha, but worth it to almost choke at the Red Wedding Sad

by Guest Wed Jun 04, 2014 8:46 am

veya_victaous wrote:http://www.newsfixboard.com/t2677p50-eddie-s-own-tunes-copyright-cemm

there you go

I deleted mine

by Guest Wed Jun 04, 2014 11:41 am

Vicar of Dibley wrote:
veya_victaous wrote:http://www.newsfixboard.com/t2677p50-eddie-s-own-tunes-copyright-cemm

there you go
I deleted mine

I don't know why you deleted it love, it was a fabulous song and you sang it beautifully... Smile

by xtras Wed Jun 04, 2014 5:26 pm

You sang into the deep Shocked

Really great song love the voice!

by Guest Wed Jun 04, 2014 7:05 pm

Hubby caught an episode of this while we were getting ready for dinner on holiday. He'd never heard of it and the episode he was watching involved a horse having it's head cut off Sad

I understand it can be a bit saucy at times but not watched it. Too scary Game of Thrones, the Norman Conquest and Political Violence Hide_210

by eddie Wed Jun 04, 2014 9:57 pm

xtras wrote:You sang into the deep

Really great song love the voice!

Thanks. We wrote, recorded and performed all,our own music sunny

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